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The XAT exam pattern 2025 includes total marks, marking scheme, mode, question type, and number of sections. The XLRI has changed the exam pattern, which has been released on the official website. The XAT exam will be held online as a computer-based test, and it will last 180 minutes.
The XAT paper pattern 2025 has been revised, and new changes have been implemented. The exam will now be divided into two parts. Part one will consist of three sections: decision-making, verbal and logical ability, quantitative ability, and data interpretation. Part two will consist of GK. There will be 95 multiple-choice questions, which the candidate has to answer in 180 minutes.
The XAT exam format must be clear to all the aspirants to avoid any last-minute confusion while sitting for the examination. The XAT syllabus 2024 has also been shared for the candidate's reference. The XAT previous year paper must also be practised to understand the exam pattern well.
XAT Exam Pattern 2025
XAT test pattern 2025 is given below for applicants' reference. The XAT exam will be conducted online and will consist of 100 questions in total. The exam pattern table is shared below. If XLRI changes the XAT test pattern 2025, it will be updated in this section.
| Particulars | Details |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 95 |
| Maximum Marks | 95 |
| Medium of Question Paper | English |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Duration of the Test | 180 minutes |
Practice: XAT Previous Year Question Paper
Section-Wise XAT 2025 Exam Pattern
XAT section-wise exam pattern is tabulated below. Candidates can check the number of questions that will be asked from each section, the time allotted for those sections, and the XAT marks per question.
There are two sections in the XAT exam pattern 2025. Part 1 contains subjects such as Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision-making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, whereas Part 2 contains questions from General Knowledge. Candidates must remember that no sectional time will be allotted for these subjects.
| Sections | XAT Question Pattern | Overall Time Duration |
| Part-1 | 75 (MCQ) | 170 Minutes |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Decision Making | 21 | |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | |
| Part-2 | 20 (Multiple-choice Questions) | 10 Minutes |
| General Knowledge | 20 | |
| Total Questions (Part 1 + Part 2) | 95 | 180 Minutes |
XAT Marking Scheme 2025
XAT 2025 is a computer-based test (CBT). There is a negative marking for every incorrectly answered question. The candidate can leave 8 questions unanswered, after which 0.10 marks will be deducted for each unanswered question.
Knowing the XAT previous year question paper pattern will help the candidates devise an effective strategy for the exam day. By understanding the XAT marking scheme, the candidates can restrict their guesswork to where necessary.
- Number of Questions: The total number of questions has been reduced to 95.
- Numerical Answer Type Questions: XLRI has introduced Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
- No marks will be deducted for these questions.
- To answer the NAT questions, candidates must use the virtual keypad on the computer screen and enter the numerical answer.
- Essay Writing: There will be no essay writing test in XAT 2025.
- MCQ specifications: Each MCQ will have five options. One of those options will be the correct answer.
- Deduction of Marks for Unattempted Questions: Candidates must remember that they can only leave 8 questions unattempted. After that, a negative marking penalty of 0.10 will be applied for each unattempted question (except for the General Knowledge section).
- Sectional Time Limit: Not available.
- XAT negative marking will not be applicable for the General Knowledge section. This section will not be counted for percentile evaluation either.
- Extra Time: For visually impaired candidates, XLRI shall offer 25 minutes to complete Part 1 of the question paper. No extra time will be given to any candidate to solve the GK section.
Applicants must check the marking scheme table shared below.
| Particulars | Details |
| For Every Correct Answer | 1 mark will be awarded |
| Candidates can Leave 8 Questions Unattempted | After which, a 0.10 mark will be deducted for every unattempted question |
| For Wrong Answers | 1/4 mark will be deducted |
| For the GK Section (part 2) of the XAT Question Paper | No negative marking |
Also Read:
XAT Paper Pattern 2025 in Detail
The XAT exam pattern 2025 for each section has been shared below in detail. Applicants must check the pointers shared.
XAT Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning Pattern:
Applicants must check the detailed exam pattern shared below for the verbal ability, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning paper.
- Total questions: 26
- Type of questions: MCQs
- RC passages: 4
- RC Based on questions: 14 to 16
- VA questions: 8 to 10
- VA topics: Vocabulary; Analogy; Para Jumbles, Para completion; Critical Reasoning; Statements-assumptions.
- Level of difficulty: Moderate to Very Difficult
XAT Decision Making Pattern:
The exam pattern details for the decision-making section have been provided below for candidates' reference.
- Total questions: 21
- Type of questions: MCQs
- Question groups: 7 to 8 sets of decision-making problems followed by 2 and 3 questions each
- Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult
XAT Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Exam Pattern:
The quantitative aptitude and data interpretation consists of 28 questions. Candidates must check the detailed paper pattern explained below.
- Total questions: 28
- Type of questions: MCQs
- Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Frequently asked topics in Quant and DI Section
XAT General Knowledge Exam Pattern:
The general knowledge paper of XAT 2025 consists of multiple choice questions. The detailed exam structure for the general knowledge paper has been shared below.
- Total questions: 20
- Type of questions: MCQs
- Time Limit to Attempt: 10 minutes
- Level of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Question topics: GK questions could be based on any topic including Current domestic and international affairs; Business; Economics; social issues, appointments; conventional GK; sports; Constitution of India among others.
- Key highlight: Not taken into account for the calculation of percentile in the XAT exam.
Also Read:
XAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Key Changes Introduced
The XAT exam pattern 2025 has been revised, and following the new paper pattern has two parts. XAT 2025 exam pattern has undergone the significant revisions listed below:
- NAT Questions Introduced: XLRI has included a brand-new Numerical Answer Type (NAT) question category in the XAT pattern 2025. Candidates must input their numerical responses to the NAT questions using the virtual keypad on the computer screen.
- Penalty for Un-attempted Questions: According to the updated XAT question paper pattern, there will be a 0.10 mark negative marking penalty for each question not attempted after 8 questions.
- Essay Writing Test Removed: In the updated XAT exam pattern 2025, the descriptive question from the Essay Writing test has been removed.
- XAT Time Duration: The XAT 2025 exam has been reduced to three hours.
- 25 Minutes Extra for Visually Impaired Candidates: For the initial part of the XAT exam (the first three sections), the scribe will get an additional 25 minutes in 2025. For the GK section, there is no time allowance.
Also Read: How to Prepare for XAT Verbal?
XAT Exam Duration: Overall & Sectional Time Limit
The details concerning the XAT section-wise exam duration are mentioned below. The overall and sectional time limit will help candidates learn time management for both papers.
- XAT 2025 exam will last 3 hours, with part I taking 170 minutes and part II 10 minutes.
- The VALR, QADI, and DM sections of part 1 of the question paper will not have sectional time limits.
- PwD candidates will receive 20 more minutes each hour. Therefore, they will receive 55 additional minutes for Part 1 and 5 additional minutes for Part 2 of the XAT question paper.
| Part 1 | ||
| Section | Overall & Sectional Exam Duration | Overall & Sectional Exam Duration for PwD Candidates |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | No Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation | No Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Decision Making | No Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Overall Part 1 | 210 minutes | 210 minutes |
| Part 2 | ||
| General Knowledge | No Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Essay Writing | No Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
| Overall Part 2 | 35 minutes | 35 minutes |
Quick Links: How to Prepare for XAT in 6 Months?
FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern
Q: What is the XAT exam pattern 2025?
A: The XAT exam pattern 2025 includes marking scheme, total number of questions, total marks, exam time, duration, exam mode, etc. The detailed exam pattern is shared for the applicants.
Q: Does XAT have negative marking?
A: Yes, there is negative marking in XAT. For each wrong answer there will be deduction of 1/4th marks. Thus, applicants must choose the answers very carefully in the examination hall.
Q: How many sections are there in XAT 2025 exam paper?
A: XAT 2025 exam paper consists of four sections, namely, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
Q: What is the XAT exam duration for the year 2025?
A: The conducting officials will commence the exam for 3 hours and 30 minutes in online mode (computer-based test). Applicants must check the detailed exam patter shared.
Q: What is the number of XAT total questions for 2025?
A: The XAT paper consists of 100 questions divided into four sections as 26 questions will be asked from Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning, 21 questions will be asked from Decision Making, 28 questions will be asked from Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and 25 questions will be asked from General Knowledge.
